I must devote some space
to what is, for me, the event of the year, a new
CD, "In The Court Of The Crimson Queen"
by UK pop/rock icon Toyah. She's been married to
King Crimson founder/guitarist Robert Fripp since
1985, and the CD title is a play on Crimson's
'Court Of the Crimson King", a late 60s
timepiece. Let's take a look, track by track:

SENSATIONAL: This
is a thumping, rousing call to arms which
showcases all aspects of Toyah's vocal stylings
and range. Presenting a positive message, the
tune is couched in updated 70s glam riffs,
calling to mind T.Rex and Ziggy-era Bowie.

LATEX MESSIAH: This
is the first track that appeared in the spring of
08, on You Tube, My Space and elsewhere, to let
the worldwide faithful know that Toyah was back,
full of sound and fury. This enjoyed a great deal
of attention as her first digital only release
ever, charting on the itunes rock countdown
several months ago, it's another radio ready
rocker.

HEAL OURSELVES:
This is the tender side of Mrs.Fripp, this sort
of material will be more apparent when her side
project, The Humans (with R.E.M.'s current
drummer) appears in 2009, hopefully. Toyah
involves herself in numerous positive projects,
so this sounds like a natural outgrowth.

LESSER GOD: This is
a forceful vocal and vibrant track, she is
currently performing it onstage in the UK as the
Vampire Queen in "Vampires Rock", a
stage show in which she is prominently featured.
(The show is comprised of rock anthems of the 70s
and 80s, and is going down a storm everywhere it
plays. "Vampires" will hit Vegas in 09,
it has been whispered...)

ANGEL IN YOU: So
many bite size rockers on this CD, riffs galore
while Toyah soars. This type of material is
begging for a proper Toyah tour, perhaps after
she's done with "Vampires" (Since her
strings of success in the early 80s, Toyah has
never done a U.S. gig, amazingly. Her UK label
never managed to get her stuff released here,
which is a sad loss for American rock fans.)

LOVE CRAZY: The
particulars of Toyah's unique 'love it or hate
it'' vocals are on display in this tune, and it
is remindful of her 1982 classic album "The
Changeling", which was produced by Steve
Lillywhite, of U2 fame. This sounds like it would
be another live stage favorite.

BAD MAN: This is a
slower 70s sounding sizzler, again highlighting
Toyah's dramatic turn on vocals (which come
through strongly, thanks to her career in films
and theatre over the decades), she has been cited
by Evenesence's Amy as one of her influences, and
you can really hear that on this track.

HYPERVENTILATE:
Acoustic guitar chords ring out, another
inspirational life lesson from this divine diva;
she'd be well received by hippies based on the
harmonic meanderings on this particular tune.

COME: And here's
the stadium rocker, the one that would bring the
crowd to their feet at the Warped Tour; this
would sound right at home as one of the token
rockers for current Top 40 radio.

LEGACY: An aptly
titled conclusive track, thoughtful and
insightful, and a fitting finish to the CD of the
year. Now go find your copy on itunes, and enjoy.